Pressurized flush tank

ABSTRACT

A pressurizable flush tank in which the discharge of water is controlled by a valve arrangement comprising a buoyant spherical ball and a ring seat. The pressurizable flush tank has a purging assembly which controls the water level within the tank and insures efficient discharge of water from the tank.

United States Patent Goza et al. 1 Sept. 16, 1975 [54] PRESSURIZED FLUSHTANK 1,538,656 5/1925 Richardson 4/57 R 1,586,079 5/1926 Formancck 4/28[76] Inventors. Alva L. Goza, Rt. 1, Box 215, Gulf 2170321 8/1939Charmin 4 4/26 Breeze- 32561; Fay Smlth, 2,828,488 4/1958 Hone 4 57 R 0Magnolia Cantonment, 3,553,741 1 1971 Owens 4/28 32533; L. E.Bentkowski, 21 10 E 3,790,967 2/1974 Pignato .4 4/28 Lakeview,Pensacola, Fla. 32505; Eg 'g ggg FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS OXWalton Beach, Fla. 32548; Ronald 107,801 7/1917 United Kmgdom 4/26 P.Blake, 505 Mooney Rd., Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. 32548; JImmIe PrimaryExaminer Henry K. Artis Thompson BOX 3186 Attorne A em or Firm.lonesThomas & Askew Walton Beach, Fla. 3254:; g

22 Filed: Dec. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 421,954 57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl.4/28; 4/41; 4/56; A pressurizable flush tank in which the discharge of4/65; 4/67 R water is controlled by a valve arrangement comprising [51]Int. Cl E03d 3/00 a buoyant spherical ball and a ring seat. The pressur-[58] Field of Search 4/28, 26, 27, 29, 33, 20, izable flush tank has apurging assembly which con- 4/21, 56, 57 R, 59, 65, 67 R, DIG. l trolsthe water level within the tank and insures efficient discharge of waterfrom the' tank. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 Claims, 3Drawing Figures 375,353 12/1887 Harvey 4/28 ASSOEROS PATENTEU SEP 1 5i975 SHEET 1 UP 2 PATEN I'HJ 1 51975 3, 9 O5 O50 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG 3PRESSURIZED FLUSH TANK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional flushtanks used in most homes and public'facilities rely solely on gravity todisplace the water within the tank from the tank and into the toiletbowl. These tanks must hold approximately six gallons of water in orderto obtain sufficient flushing action from the slow discharge of waterinto the toilet bowl. The use of these tanks has resulted in very largequanti ties of water which must be processed by sewage treatment plants.Hence, a need exists for a flush tank that can operate efficiently withless water than used by conventional flush tanks.

Conventional flush tanks also have numerous interconnecting movablemechanical parts, especially in the valve mechanism controlling the flowof'water to the toilet bowl. During the flushing cycle, these mechanicalparts produce substantial noise. Although the noise produced by thesetanks is not detrimental to the actual mechanical operation of thetoilet, the noise is somewhat annoying to the user.

Several attempts have been made to use pressurizable flush tanks forsupplying water to the toilet bowl, but these attempts have not beensuccessful for a number of reasons. One is the fact that noise is stilla problem in those tanks containing many interconnecting movablemechanical parts. Another is that the proper amount of sealing water,the water added to the toilet bowl after the flushing cycle to seal theline between the toilet bowl and the sewage line, is not supplied bythese pressurizable flush tanks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present invention isdirected to a pressurizable flush tank which operates by means of linepressure in addition to gravity to provide efficient flushing actionwith minimum water. The flush tank includes a valve assembly comprisinga buoyant spherical ball and a ring seat for controlling the dischargeof water. A ball lifting assembly including an actuating member is usedin initiating the operation of the valve assembly. The water levelwithin the tank and the efficient discharge of water from the tank iscontrolled by a purging assembly comprising an interconnected float andvalve arrangement.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide apressurizable flush tank which uses less water than conventional flushtanks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pressurizableflush tank that provides the toilet bowl with sufficient sealing waterafter the flushing cycle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide apressurizable flush tank which operates relatively quietly.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from reading the following specification,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing depicting anillustrative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apressurizable flush tank according to the disclosed illustrativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section side view of the pressurizable flush tank takenalong the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 with the valve assembly and the purgingassembly shown.

FIG. 3 is a section front view of the pressurizable flush tank takenalong the lines 33 of FIG. 1 with the valve assembly and the purgingassembly shown.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in more detail tothe drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout theseveral views, FIG. 1 shows a pressurizable flush tank 10 with sides 13,top 11, and bottom 12. Preferably, the main portion of flush tank 10,defined by sides 13, is extruded from a thermoplastic material such aspolyvinyl chloride, and the top 11 and bottom 12 are both constructedfrom a similar thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. Ofcourse, other conventional materials can be used in the construction ofthe flush tank of the present invention. The boundaries between sides 13and both top 11 and bottom 12 are sealed, preferably by heat, to providean air tight fit between these pieces.

Inserted through a hole 11a in top 11 is a plug 14 which is removablefor easy access to the interior of flush tank 10 if repairs oradjustments need to be made to any of the components within the flushtank. Plug 14 preferably has threads which allow it to be threaded intocorresponding threads in the opening in top 11 in order to obtain an airtight seal. The use of a threaded arrangement between plug 14 and theopening in top 11 also prevents plug 14 from being blown out of theopening by the air pressure in flush tank 10. Of course, other types ofair tight arrangements can be used to provide access to the interior offlush tank 10. For example, the entire top 11 can be removable and heldin place by any suitable securing devices such as clamps, bolts, and thelike, with a peripheral gasket located between the top 11 and the topend of sides 13 to provide the air tight seal.

Within the interior of the tank is a buoyant spherical ball 16 which ispositioned within a cage 42 defined by the two sides 13 of the tank andtwo ribs 44, each rib extending from one side 13 across the width oftank 10 to an opposite side 13. Ball 16 is retainedwithin the upperportion of cage 42 by pin 21 which is just above and centered betweenribs 44 and in the lower portion of cage 42 by ring seat 40 which islocated below and centered between ribs 44. Ribs 44 can be attached tothe sides of the tank in any conventional manner, but preferably, ribs44 are formed as an integral part of the main portion of tank 10,defined by sides 13, during the extrusion process. Ball 16 preferablyhas a resilient smooth polyurethane surface with a foam filled core inorder to produce good floatation, acceptable resistivity to repeatedcontact with the other components in tank 10, and a water tight sealwith ring seat 40. Most preferably, ball 16 has a small weight at somepoint near its surface in order to improve the seating of ball 16 onring seat 40 under turbulent conditions within cage 42.

Ring seat 40 is held in place by seat support 41 which is attached overthe end of discharge line 17 projecting through an opening in the bottom12 of tank 10. Ring seat 40 has a smooth surface to insure a water tightseal with ball 16 and is constructed of a soft material such asneoprene.

Water inlet line 15 extends into tank through one of the sides 13 verynear the bottom 12, and preferably inlet line 15 is directed towards thebottom 12. By having inlet line 15 directed towards the bottom 12, theturbulence produced by the entering water is minimized and the ball 16can seat on ring seat 40 with less effort and greater accuracy.

At the lower portion of the tank 10 is ball lifting assembly 30 whichcomprises rod 31 to which is attached handle 37 at an end external ofthe tank. Actuating member 32 is attached to the rod a short distancefrom the other end which is internal of discharge line 17. Rod 31extends through and is journalled for rotation in one side of dischargeline 17 and extends across the diameter of discharge line 17 where it isrotatably connected to the other side fo that line. Actuating member 32includes stem 33, one end of which is attached to rod 31 directly belowthe center of ring seat 40 and the other end of which is attached tohousing 36. Held within housing 36 in a rotatable manner by axle 35 iswheel 34. Rod 31 and actuating member 32 are spaced in relation to ringseat 40 such that, when actuating member 32 is in a vertical position,the edge of wheel 34 extends through the opening in ring seat 40 andjustabove the top of ring seat 40 to displace ball 16 from ring seat 40.Adjustment of the spaced relationship between actuating member 32 andring seat 40 is provided by having the end of stem 33 which is attachedto rod 31 threaded through rod 31.

At the upper portion of tank 10 is purging assembly 20 which comprisesarm 22 having a pivotal mounting on pin 21 and a float 23 attached atone end and a port valve 24 attached at the other end. Float 23 ispreferably a spherically-shaped buoyant ball which is adjustablyconnected to arm 22 through float pin 25. Port valve 24 is attached toarm 22 such that port valve 24 seats on port ring seat 27 located on theend of a purge line 18 when the purging assembly is pivoted to lower theport valve. Purge line 18 extends from just inside tank 10 to dischargeline 17.

Purging assembly 20 and the end of purge line 18 supporting port ringseat 27 are spaced relative to each other such that port valve 24 doesnot seat on port ring seat 27 until the water level is a predetermineddistance above port ring seat 27. This predetermined distance depends onthe distance below arm 22 at which float 23 is held by float pin and canbe changed by adjusting float 23.

Ribs 43 extend from one side 13 across the width of tank 10 to theopposite side 13 and give tank 10 added structural strength. Preferably,ribs 43 are extruded as an integral part of the sides 13, but ribs 43can be attached to the sides 13 of tank 10 in other conventional ways.

OPERATION In operation, the flushing cycle is initiated by moving handle37 to rotate rod 31 and force wheel 34 of actuating member 32 intocontact with the lower portion of ball 16 seated on ring seat 40. Theforce of wheel 34 against ball 16 dislodges ball 16 from ring seat 40.When handle 37 is released, a conventional spring means (not shown)returns handle 37 and actuating member 32 to their initial positions.Ball 16 is buoyant and rises through the water within cage 42 untilbeing stopped from further ascent by pin 21.

As soon as ball 16 is dislodged from ring seat 40, the water within tank10 is forced by gravity and compressed air above the surface of thewater within tank 10 (explained in further detail in a later portion ofthis specification) through ring seat 40 into discharge line 17. Fromdischarge line 17 the water flows directly into the toilet bowl inconventional fashion.

The water level within tank 10 continues to descend to the point thatfloat 23 begins to move downward wherein arm 22 pivots about pin 21 andport valve 24 rises away from port ring seat 27. At this instant, theinterior of tank 10 above the water surface is in direct communicationwith atmospheric pressure through purge line 18 extending into dischargeline 17. By connecting the interior of tank 10 to atmospheric pressurein this way, no partial vacuum forms above the water surface to slow thedischarge of water from tank 10. After port valve 24 opens and thesurface above the water level is exposed to atmospheric pressure, thewater drains from tank 10 by gravity.

As the water level continues to fall, ball 16 descends within cage 42until the Water level is below ring seat 40, at which time ball 16 seatson ring seat 40.

Once the tank 10 has emptied and ball 16 is seated on ring seat 40, tank10 begins filling with water entering through inlet line 15 which isconstantly open to the main water line and under normal line pressurewhich is conventionally between 40 and pounds per square inch. Becausethe downward forces exerted against ball 16 by the water and atmosphericpressure are greater than the upward forces by atmospheric pressurethrough the opening in ring seat 40 during filling of tank 10, ball 16remains seated on ring seat 40.

As the water level rises, float 23 eventually comes into contact withthe water surface and begins to move upward, causing arm 22 to rotateabout pin 21. Before arm 22 rotates sufficiently to seat port valve 24on port ring seat 27, however, the water level rises above port ringseat 27 and a predetermined quantity of water flows downward throughpurge line 18 to discharge line 17 and subsequently to the toilet bowl.This predetermined quantity of water acts to seal the toilet bowl fromthe main sewage line into which the toilet bowl empties. The amount ofwater discharged through purge line 18 can be easily adjusted byadjusting the spaced relationship between port ring seat -27 and purgingassembly 20 in the manner previously discussed.

When port valve 24 finally seats on port ring seat 27, the pressureabove the water surface builds up until the pressure above the watersurface is sufficient to prevent any more water from entering inlet line15. At this time, no more water enters tank 10 and tank 10 ispressurized and ready for flushing again.

It has been found that the pressurizable flush tank of the presentinvention uses between 30 and 35% less water for a conventional toiletbowl than presently used conventional flush tanks. it is understood thatthe sizes of components and distances between components of thepressurized flush tank can be varied in accordance with the resultsdesired.

While this invention has been described in detail, with particularreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinbefore and as defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

l. A pressurizable flush tank comprising a water inlet for introducingwater into said tank, means for producing a selected water level withinsaid tank, a discharge line for discharging water from said tank, apurge line having a first end disposed within said tank below saidselected water level and a second end in communication with saiddischarge line, a first valve means for selectively closing saiddischarge line, and a second valve means for selectively closing saidfirst end of said purge line, said second valve means including a floatraisable by water within said tank, an arm carrying said float andpivotal by motion of said float, and a valve member carried by said armand engageable with said one end of said purge line, said purge linehaving associated therewith a seating means attached to said first enddisposed within said tank below said selected water level in spacedrelation with said arm, said float means and said second value meanssuch that water within said tank will flow into said purge line beforesaid arm pivots to cause said valve member to close said first end ofsaid purge line during filling of the tank and whereby a predeterminedamount of water flows into said purge line before said second valvemeans seats on said seating means.

2. A flush tank according to claim 1, and including means for varyingsaid selected water level comprising first adjusting means to adjustsaid float relative to said arm.

3. A flush tank according to claim 2, said means for varying saidselected water level further including second adjusting means to adjustsaid valve member relative to said arm.

1. A pressurizable flush tank comprising a water inlet for introducingwater into said tank, means for producing a selected water level withinsaid tank, a discharge line for discharging water from said tank, apurge line having a first end disposed within said tank below saidselected water level and a second end in communication with saiddischarge line, a first valve means for selectively closing saiddischarge line, and a second valve means for selectively closing saidfirst end of said purge line, said second valve means including a floatraisable by water within said tank, an arm carrying said float andpivotal by motion of said float, and a valve member carried by said armand engageable with said one end of said purge line, said purge linehaving associated therewith a seating means attached to said first enddisposed within said tank below said selected water level in spacedrelation with said arm, said float means and said second value meanssuch that water within said tank will flow into said purge line beforesaid arm pivots to cause said valve member to close said first end ofsaid purge line during filling of the tank and whereby a predeterminedamount of water flows into said purge line before said second valvemeans seats on said seating means.
 2. A flush tank according to claim 1,and including means for varying said selected water level comprisingfirst adjusting means to adjust Said float relative to said arm.
 3. Aflush tank according to claim 2, said means for varying said selectedwater level further including second adjusting means to adjust saidvalve member relative to said arm.